When searching and applying for telecommuting positions (home jobs) you should use the following precautions:
Rule #1: Never pay to apply for a job or to show “you’re serious”.
Important Note: this is different than paying for home business/business training or a legitimate jobs database which is OK (see the following explanation for details)…
Do you need to pay for a jobs database? No. But if you are a person who is new to searching for home jobs or has searched for ones without success, a paid database can play several important roles:
It can free up part of your own job search time.
It can show you types of work that you have skills for that you may never hear of otherwise.
It can show you what real home job listings look like. This can be a huge help to prevent you from falling for scams.
It can help you find much better words to use when doing your own job searches.
In other words, besides helping you find a home job, a legitimate home jobs database can be an amazing educational tool to help you become a smart job searcher. A legitimate home jobs database uses experienced researchers to find their positions. So, checking their listings against the types you find on your own can be a huge eye-opener. The value of this should not be underestimated.
There’s a major difference between paying for a job (Not OK) and paying to access a legitimate database of job listings (OK). If you have any questions about this, Click Here to Ask. Your best bet in the long run is to learn how to do your own searches and learn how to network online.
Rule #2: Be cautious about calling unfamiliar area codes
Some international pay-per-call area codes look like legitimate U.S. area codes and employment scammers will use that to get you to call a number that you unwittingly get charged for.
Before you return a phone call from an employer with an unfamiliar area code, you might check it against this list of Carribbean area codes…
… Calling phone numbers with the following area codes might be linked to pay-per-call services with large up-front fees:
264 Anguilla
268 Antigua & Barbuda
242 Bahamas
246 Barbados
441 Bermuda (Atlantic)
284 British Virgin Islands
345 Cayman Islands
767 Dominica
809 Dominican Republic
473 Grenada & Carriacou
876 Jamaica
664 Montserrat
787 Puerto Rico
869 St. Kitts & Nevis
758 St. Lucia
784 St. Vincent & the Grenadines
868 Trinidad & Tobago
649 Turks & Caicos Islands
340 U.S. Virgin Islands
You can check what geographic area an area code belongs to at Fonefinder. You can also check your telephone directory or call the operator to determine if the area code is for a domestic or international location before calling.
Rule #3: Never allow a company to deposit a check into your account to “test or process the check”.
In this scheme, generally the scammer will tell you to deposit the check, keep a portion for your services, and then wire the rest back.
You’ll soon discover they sent you a fake check, the check will bounce, and you’ll be stuck responsible for the full amount, including the money you sent back to the scammer.
Don’t give a company your checking account information or social security number until you’re comfortable with them.
A major source of fraud today is called “demand draft” fraud.
Here’s how it works:
Once you provide the account information, a criminal creates a “demand draft” (i.e. a remotely created check that doesn’t require a signature) and withdraw funds from your account — often without your permission.
They get away with it because demand drafts generally only require the customers typewritten checking account number, a notation that the customer authorized the draft and/or a statement such as the statement “No signature required,” “Authorization on file,” “Signature on file,” or words similar to that effect.
Rule #4: Use extreme caution if you click on advertising at even the most legitimate sites.
Many of the best sites don’t have much control over many of the ads that display on their sites. Even when the site seems legitimate, it doesn’t mean the ads lead to legitimate products and services, too.
Rule #5: Limit the amount of personal information you give when first applying for a job
If you know that a job is obviously legitimate, then this wouldn’t apply. However, if you’re unsure at all, then you should only include your first name and email address. Once you become more familiar and comfortable with the company you can reveal further information. Always check the Work From Home Scams page for the latest information on scam scenarios.
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